The Many Faces of Late Onset Group B Streptococcus Infection

Abstract

Overall early onset Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection in the United States has decreased because of preventive protocols. However, late onset GBS remains fairly common disease and can be difficult to diagnose. This paper displays the wide range of presentations of late onset GBS and the possible dire ramifications of the disease.

Sepsis and Streptococcus agalactiae meningitis in a 3-month-old boy

“…However, this procedure did not affect the frequency of LOD and VLOD (2) . Since 1990, the LOD-GBS index has remained at the level of 0.3-0.4/1,000 live births (6) . Many risk factors for EOD have been defined, including delivery before 37 weeks of gestation, premature membrane rupture, membrane rupture more than 18 hours before delivery, colonization of the mother's genital tract with S. agalactiae >10 5 cfu/mL (7) .…”

“…The duration of treatment should be 14-21 days (3) . The described clinical case and other cited papers (6,9,10) involved the use of ceftriaxone and vancomycin in the empirical treatment of infections. This therapy was also continued after the culture results were obtained (6,9,10) .…”

“…The described clinical case and other cited papers (6,9,10) involved the use of ceftriaxone and vancomycin in the empirical treatment of infections. This therapy was also continued after the culture results were obtained (6,9,10) . Considering the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment and the possible antibiotic resistance due to the too broad spectrum of action of the antibacterial drugs used, in case of a confirmed GBS infection, it is recommended to change the antibiotic to ampicillin or benzylpenicillin.…”

“…Late initiation of therapy, but also the course of meningitis itself, may be associated with numerous complications. Potential early neurological complications include cerebral oedema and post-inflammatory hydrocephalus (6,9,10) . Past infection, which resulted in brain damage, may also lead to complications in the later years of the child's life, including: epilepsy, abnormal psychomotor development, reduced intellectual performance, cognitive disorders.…”